Story: Ash and Chloe have been in a relationship for five years. It was the day after Ash and Gary's shared birthday. Ash is a battle frontier and has a tower in Celadon city. They live in Vermillion city.

Age: Ash, 24. Chloe, 22

Ash Ketchum groaned into his hands as if the whole world was against him. To be fair if certainly felt like it, even himself. Last night on his and Gary's birthday. Gary dared him to pull a break up prank on his beloved girlfriend of five years.

He considered begging Gary not to do it, but his pride and ego, and being slightly drunk had prevented him to. Plus Gary was sporting his usual smirk that somehow annoyed him more than usual and said that if he did it, it would be considered a birthday present.

It was six in the evening, right about the time Chloe arrives from college the she enrolled in to study to be a doctor both for human and pokemon. He heard the familiar sound of her car pulling in the drive way, a car he gave her on her graduation day of high school.

"Ash, i'm home!" Chloe cheerful and tired voice immediately lighted up the house that was previously dark and gloomy because of him. She slipped out of shoes and coat. Exhaustion slowing her down, but the determination to be back in her boyfriend's arms made her move faster instead.

Said boyfriend was sweating bullets as he knew exactly what would replace that cheerfulness in her voice. If the past five years of being with her taught him anything it was that anything can change her mood, especially when it comes to him.

Their pokemon was currently in the backyard after he explained to them what he would do. They were a bit confused, but complied nonetheless.

Chloe immediatly sensed the tense atmosphere in the house. No pokemon running around, no pokemon eagerly awaiting her hugs and kisses. No boyfriend welcoming her in his warm arms.

Dread slowly filled her, but she brushed it off. Maybe Ash just had a bad day at the tower. She finally made it in the living room, her usual bright smile growing on her face that she always have within ten meters from him.

It however dropped when she noticed the state he was in. He was sitting in the couch facing the ground with clothes that was not suited for coddling after a long day.

She immediately rushed to his side. "Ash, what's wrong? Did something happen?" She placed her hand on his back, rubbing it up and down to give him comfort. She felt him take in a deep breath before uttering the words that haunted her in her worst nightmares.

"I think we need to break up."

She withdrew from him as if she was being electrocuted. "W-what?" Her voice quivered as she asked him. Feeling as if those worst nightmares were coming true right in front of her very eyes. Nightmares that he had to shake her awake from.

"I think we need to break up." He repeated with a stronger voice just like how he and Gary practiced.

She looked around, finally noticing the bags and suit cases around them. Feeling her break piece by piece as each came into into her vision. She finally looked back to the source of her heartbreak.

Heartbreak. She have never thought he would ever make her feel that way. Sure he makes her feel angry and sad at times because of his immature attitude and the misunderstandings every relationship endure, but never to this extent.

Remembering all the things her Mother have said to her. She straightened her shoulders and tried her best to wipe her tears. The tears was still falling but the pain was barely noticeble.

"Why?" She asked somehow not sounding as broken as she thought it would be. He stayed silent, not even looking at her!

"Look at me!" She demanded, she clenched her fists in an effort not to burst out and herself. "Say something, you moron!" Her heart chenched as she said the old nickname she always called him when he was being stupid.

And as always he felt like it. He looked up at her with eyes full of guilt. This is going to far...

She kneeled in front of him. He watched her every move. Despite how heartbroken she seemed she still moved gracefully that would put any performer to shame. Another thing he loved about her.

The way that she would jump from stone to stone while they were out travelling and not missing a single one. Never looking she was about fall down, her shoulders straight and poised. A true woman.

She connected their fingers sensually just like they usually would. And then the questions started firing. "What did i do, Ash? Cause i know you. You would never break up with me without a reason, even if you fell out of love."

Ash winced at thought of falling out of love for her, impossible, never gonna happen. But for now he has to pretend. "You didn't do anything wrong, Chloe." He basically spit out her name, he almost always call her by pet names.

She leaned back with a perfect eyebrow arched, "oh, so is it something i didn't do? Is it because we haven't done it yet?" She chlenched her jaw. If that last reason is why he was breaking up with her then she fell in love with the wrong man.

Ash's widened, panic running through his veins. This is not supposed to go that far! "Of course not! I would neve-!"

"Then what is it?!" Her patience finally wearing thin.

"If you just let me talk-" She interrupted him again.

"I'm sorry if i like feel i don't want to hear you're voice right now, considering your choice of words, Ash Ketchum! We-" Her voice then failed her as her mind thought back to last night when they were getting to the party his mom made. "We just talked about our future together, about us getting married and getting old together. Finishing the last steps couples have! Does not mean nothing to you?!" She stood up as she tried to cover her face from him. She's crying again.

Ash stood up with her. He pried her hands off her beautiful face. His heart broke as he stared at opposite he wanted to ever see on her face. He wanted her happy, not sad. And he knew he can make her happy after all those time she and their friends drilled it into his head.

"Chloe, Chloe," he succesfully tilted her face to look at him. Her arms still fought to be free. "Baby."

She froze, she looked at him with an icy glare. "That's not fair, Ash." He knew exactly what that pet name does to her.

His heart clouded with guilt, "i know...but Chloe this-this isn't real. I-it's just a-a prank." He stuttered out.

She froze again. Hope unwillingly filling her. "Are you serious?"

He smiled, "baby, i would never break up with you. It was a dare Gary made last night i was too drunk to refuse. I'm sorr-" before he could get the last word out. She launched herself at him.

Kissing him as if it's they're last. It was wet because of her tears but it still felt as magical and heavenly as always. It's not like they cared anyways.

"I love you." He whispered into the kiss.

Chloe smiled, it was so bright that if anyone saw her right then it looked she never cried at all. "I love you too." She hugged him tightly, never wanting to let go. That gave her quite a scare, she should be angry but she felt at that moment was relieve that it wasn't real. She hoped that nightmare would never ever come true. She loved too much to let him go

They spent the rest of their night plotting way to get back at Gary for that dare. All that heartbreak disappeared and replaced by happiness instead. Oh yes he would never break up with her. She made him happy too much to do so.

I'm sorry...

Words: 1,404

Update: 4/10/2021